Portlaoise won their 21st Laois title yesterday when they defeated favourites St Joseph's in a thrilling final.

The opening half was evenly contested with St Joseph's controlling the opening quarter. They led 0-3 to 0-1 at the end of the quarter and when Stephen Kelly scored a great goal in the 24th minute, four points separated the sides. Portlaoise finished the stronger and at the interval trailed by two points, 0-8 to 1-7.

The second half saw Portlaoise turn on the style and by the 40th minute had taken the lead for the with a Brian Fitzpatrick point.

However, with 12 minutes remaining, St Joseph's had drawn level, and the turning point of the game was a great Portlaoise move which saw Kevin Fitzpatrick place the unmarked Ian Fitzgerald for a brilliant goal. Although St Joseph's hit back for two late points by Stephen Kelly they never looked like preventing Portlaoise winning.

Portlaoise: J Hannify; C O'Keeffe, E Bland, B Gaynor; D Mullins (0-1), T Conroy, C Parkinson (0-3); B Fitzpatrick (0-2), K Fitzpatrick; F Fennell (0-1), I Fitzgerald (1-6), A Fennelly; M Fennelly, E Coleman, P PHelan. Subs: C Duggan for M Fennelly, N Collins for B Gaynor, B McCormack for F Fennell.

St Joseph's: E Burke; A Lacey, W Hooney (0-1), P J Rowan; P Stapleton, F Lacey, J Higgins (0-1); J Murphy, P J Dempsey (0-1); T Kelly, C George, N Garvan; S Kelly (1-5), W Knowles (0- 2), M Dempsey (0-1). Sub: D Cooney for C George.

Referee: E Whelan (Killeshin)